Biological toilet

ABSTRACT

A biological toilet in which excrement and possibly garbage on a grid are brought to accelerated fermentation by supplemental heat and ventilation. The heat is supplied from a closed pipe loop containing a liquid heat transferring medium, which is circulated by a thermosiphon pump inserted in the loop and heated by a gas burner or an electric heating element.

United States Patent [191 Andersson et al.

[451 May 7,1974

BIOLOGICAL TOILET Inventors: Hans Andersson, Talldungen, 45080 Tanumshede, Sweden; I-Iakon Eidet, Sannesundsveien 6, Sarpsborg, Norway Filed: Aug. 8, 1972 Y Appl. No.: 278,864

Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 17, 1971 Sweden 10430/71 June 15, 1972 Norway 2136/72 US. Cl 4/133, 210/175, 71/8 Int. Cl A47k 11/02 Field of Search 4/1l6,1l7,118,131,132, 4/133, 138, 140, 111,114, 115; 23/2591; 110/9 R, 8, 10; 210/527, 12, 179,180,175; 99/9; 195/127, 104; 71/8; 237/59; 165/106, 128, 129, 130

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,136,608 6/1964 Lindstrom 4/133 2,146,148 2/1939 Knipper 237/59 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,355,440 2/1964 France 4/115 1,129,362 10/1968 Great Britain 210/175 Primary ExaminerLeon G. Machlin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Young & Thompson [5 7] ABSTRACT A biological toilet in which excrement and possibly garbage on a grid are brought to accelerated fermentation by supplemental heat and ventilation. The heat is supplied from a closed pipe loop containing a liquid heat transferring medium, which is circulated by a thermosiphon pump inserted in the loop and heated by a gas burner or an electric heating element.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATEN-TED W4 r Y ;808.s09

SHEET 2 OF 2 BIOLOGICAL TOILET The invention relates to a biological toilet comprising a container in which excrement and possibly garbage is subjected to accelerated fermentation by supply of heat from a heating element and air from a ventilation means having an air outlet.

In a previously known toilet of this type, the material to be fermented is directly supported by the heating element which causes the dehydration to be too great to permit an effective fermentation.

The object of the invention is to eliminate this significant disadvantage and also to eliminate the use of a relatively expensive electric fan which, in the known toilet, constitutes the ventilation means; the toilet, in addition to being operated by electricity, can be operated by a combustible gas, and odour from the outlet, which is undesirable in built-up areas, is substantially removed.

In accordance with the invention, this is achieved in the first place by forming the heating element as a closed pipe loop which contains a liquid heattransferring medium and which is arranged in the container between the material to be fermented and a collecting chamber locatedtherebeneath, a corrosionresistant grid being arranged above the pipe loop, said grid being the support for'the material to be fermented, and a thermosiphon pump is inserted in the pipe loop to circulate the medium on supply of heat from a heat source which also heats the medium.

Further, the pipe loop with pump is adapted to be removed for repairs or replacement without removing the grid with material to be fermented.

In the second place, a flue may be arranged over the heat source, the upper end of said flue projecting a determined distance into the air outlet from the container. In this manner, the hot air through the flue causes an ejector effect on the gas in the container, so that an electrically operated fan may be omitted and the toilet operated exclusively by combustible gas.

In order to improve the working condition of the thermosiphon pump, a shunt connection for gas is arranged in parallel therewith in the pipe loop.

lnorder to increase the evaporation of liquid collected in the bottom of the container, a part of the pipe loop extends to a location adjacent the bottom of the container.

In order to economize on heat consumption the container is provided with heat-insulated walls in the form of a hollow, rotary-cast plastic body and is filled with hardened foam plastic.

To decrease the odour from the air outlet of the container, the heavier gases in the container are conducted past a gas flame or an electric heating coil. An agitating mechanism is provided in connection with the grid in order to increase the fall of fermented material from the grid.

The heating element may be thermostaticly controlled in order to impart a suitable heat to the fermentation process.

Some embodiment examples of the invention are further described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings.

FIG. I is a side view in partial section of a biological toilet according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal projection of the pipe loop with thermosiphon pump.

FIG. 3 is a view in greater dimension of a vertical section through the thermosiphon pump, a part of the pipe loop and shunt connection.

In FIG. 1, the container 1 is shown which consists at least of two parts, viz. a bottom portion and a top portion. The container walls can advantageously consist of a rotary-cast, hollow plastic body which is filled with hardened foam plastic. The bottom portion is, at the fore edge or the rear edge, provided with an opening for removal of residue subsequent to fermentation, and also an air inlet. The top portion is provided at the top thereof with a seat opening having a cover 2 and an air outlet 3 located at a somewhat higher position. Within the bottom portion, a corrosion-resistant grid 4 is arranged which supports the excrement or garbage to be fermented. Optionally a material which absorbs some of the moisture and partially fills the openings is initially placed on the grid. Beneath the grid, a closed pipe loop 5 is arranged wherein a thermosiphon pump 7 is inserted and which is provided with a member 6 projecting to a position more closely adjacent the bottom. of the container. The thermosiphon pump consists of an annular container in the central portion of which a heat source in the form of an electric heat cartridge or a gas burner is arranged. A flue 9 projects as an extension of the said central portion to a determined dis tance within the air outlet 3. In order to improve the working condition of the pump, a shunt connection 8 for gas is arranged in parallel therewith. The pipe loop and the pump contain a heat transferring medium which is heated by the heat source. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pump 7, the shunt connection 8 and the heat source may be arranged in a heat insulating casing 11 provided with a pipe 10 through which, due to the heat source and the suction effect from the flue, heavier gases are suctioned from the fermentation and burnt by the heat source so that odours from the air outlet are greatly decreased. Optionally, a separate gas flame or an electric heat coil may be disposed separately for combustion of combustible gases from the fermentation. A separate chute for garbage may optionally be arranged in the top of the container.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. Biological toilet comprising a-container in which excrement and optionally garbage may be brought to accelerated fermentation, comprising an air outlet from the container, a heating element in the form of a closed pipe loop exposed to the air in the container and containing a liquid heat transferring medium and arranged in the container between the material to be fermented and 'a collecting chamber located therebeneath, a corrosion-resistant grid above the pipe loop as support for the material to be fermented, and a thermosiphon pump in the pipe loop to circulate the medium on supply of heat from a heat source which also heats the medium.

2. Toiletaccording to claim 1, and above the source of heat, a flue the upper end of which projects a short distance into the air outlet from the container.

3. Toilet according to claim 1, and a shunt connection in the pipe loop in parallel with the pump.

4. Toilet according to claim 1, a portion of the pipe loop extending to a position adjacent the bottom of the container.

5. Toilet according to claim 1, the container having heat insulated walls in the form of a hollow plastic body filled with hardened foam plastic.

6. Toilet as claimed in claim 1, and means for conducting gas from within the container to said heat source'for combustion in said heat source. 

1. Biological toilet comprising a container in which excrement and optionally garbage may be brought to accelerated fermentation, comprising an air outlet from the container, a heating element in the form of a closed pipe loop exposed to the air in the container and containing a liquid heat transferring medium and arranged in the container between the material to be fermented and a collecting chamber located therebeneath, a corrosion-resistant grid above the pipe loop as support for the material to be fermented, and a thermosiphon pump in the pipe loop to circulate the medium on supply of heat from a heat source which also heats the medium.
 2. Toilet according to claim 1, and above the source of heat, a flue the upper end of which projects a short distance into the air outlet from the container.
 3. Toilet according to claim 1, and a shunt connection in the pipe loop in parallel with the pump.
 4. Toilet according to claim 1, a portion of the pipe loop extending to a position adjacent the bottom of the container.
 5. Toilet according to claim 1, the container having heat insulated walls in the form of a hollow plastic body filled with hardened foam plastic.
 6. Toilet as claimed in claim 1, and means for conducting gas from within the container to said heat source for combustion in said heat source. 